State legislators are taking the “first step” toward building an offshore wind farm on the Southeast Side by proposing the state invest in programs that would enable more workers from underrepresented communities to work on the project.
State Rep. Marcus Evans (D-33rd) introduced a bill Thursday to create a “Rust Belt to Green Belt” fund to support workforce diversity programs. It’s in service of a pilot project that would create at least 150 megawatts of wind power.
The 185-page bill would set rules for future offshore wind projects, such as requiring contractors to submit plans for hiring from underrepresented populations.
It would also require the Illinois Power Agency to begin seeking offshore wind project proposals from contractors within 360 days of the bill’s passage. […]
“Right now, the [Illinois International] Port would be the place where we would ideally want to see [the wind farm] at,” Peters said. “The idea is to have it be perpendicular off the port, if we were able to do it on the lake.”
* Press release…
On Thursday, legislation to authorize additional funding and extend the successful “Batinick Buyout” program for state pensions passed out of the House Personnel & Pensions Committee. House Bill 4292, of which Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is a chief co-sponsor, was passed by the committee with unanimous support.
“I’m happy an idea I had years ago to save the state significant money has been successful and will continue under this legislation,” said Rep. Batinick. “I look forward to seeing this legislation move through the General Assembly and re-execute this successful buyout option.”
HB 4292 would amend the General Obligation Bond Act and authorize an additional $1 billion to State Pension Obligation Acceleration Bonds. These bonds make accelerated pension benefit payments and would be increased from $1 billion to $2 billion in this legislation. Participants can receive this accelerated pension benefit payment instead of any pension benefit or for a reduction in the increases to their annual retirement annuity and survivor’s annuity. This extension would move from June 30th, 2024 to June 30th, 2026.
Rep. Batinick originally introduced this pension reform language in 2018, which closely resembled a plan he introduced in 2016 and 2017. At the time, he was the first person in the United States to propose such a concept in bill form. It offers retirees more flexibility with their pensions and helps the state save taxpayer money.
Rep. Batinick is the House Republican Spokesperson for the Personnel & Pensions Committee.
Aiming to increase diversity in wind and solar jobs, a proposed measure in the Illinois General Assembly would require more transparent reporting on the level of participation of minority-owned businesses in clean energy jobs.
Rep. William Davis, D-Hazel Crest, advanced House Bill 4217 through the House Energy and Environment Committee on Tuesday. The measure aims to increase “diverse participation in projects that could include African-Americans, Latinx, and women-owned firms.”
In the bill, energy suppliers who generate more than 500 kilowatt hours of electricity with at least 100,000 customers and companies that develop, install, or maintain a renewable energy project with annual revenues over $15 million would be required to submit annual reports on procurement goals and spending on contracts with female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned companies and small businesses.
Annual reports would need to outline a buying plan for specific goods and services the company plans to procure in the next six to 18 months, include any procurement codes used by the company. It’s an effort to assist entrepreneurs and diverse companies in understanding upcoming opportunities with the company submitting the buying plan, according to the bill.
UPDATE: Wednesday morning’s hearing on HB 4244 was postponed, as the House Human Services Committee did not have the needed quorum. Since Monday, the number of bill opponents more than doubled - from over 5000 to now over 12,000, with more being added hourly.
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers will once again be contemplating another political “hot potato” when they return to the State Capitol this week. As of Monday morning, 5526 (Update now: 5579) opponents have signed onto the Illinois General Assembly website to submit witness slips against HB 4244, a bill introduced and sponsored by only one Democrat lawmaker - Lake County resident Bob Morgan.
HB 4244 would require all doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and medical centers to register their patients’ personal immunizations with a state-run database. Currently, the state immunization registry already in place is optional.
* Co-sign except for spending hours in the car together…
This is some BS. I invite any reporter who would casually smear the people of Central & Southern Illinois like this to drive around the rural country roads with me. I’ve lived here five years and have never once seen a Confederate flag in a front yard. Far from “common.” pic.twitter.com/ygm45ikjvL
“I do think that he would make a viable candidate — if he can get past the primary — in the fall,” Edgar said. “The fact that he seems somewhat moderate; he’s well funded; he’s African American, so perhaps he can pull over some African American votes, which are really the key to the Democrats in Illinois.”
“But the Republicans, I think, have to realize that they’ve got to win a lot of independents and moderate Republicans back — and maybe what I call ‘thoughtful Democrats.’ And you can’t go too far to the right to do that,” Edgar continued. “That’s why Irvin would have a good shot because I think he will undoubtedly be perceived more in the middle than he will be to the far right.”
But even if Irvin emerges from the GOP primary, it will be an uphill climb in the general election, Edgar said.
“Well, I think an incumbent governor has the advantage going into an election — should have the advantage — unless they’ve been a terrible governor,” Edgar said. “And I don’t think Pritzker has been a terrible governor. I mean, he’s had some tough things to deal with, particularly the virus.”
That’s the thing about Irvin. He’s not afraid to try, likely well aware that even if he goes down in flames, this high-dollar, high-profile campaign can do nothing but add to his brand, whether that contributes to another run for higher office or, worst case scenario, more name recognition for his law firm.
Think about it. It took Irvin three attempts before finally becoming Aurora’s mayor and even then he beat his opponent by only 170 votes. Five years later, he’s aiming to be the state’s top general.
So even if you’re not a fan, credit Irvin with a healthy ego and/or boatload of confidence. Both are critical when taking on the Democratic governor of Illinois.
Along with a boatload of money, of course.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Today, the Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council, the McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Council, and their affiliates announced their endorsements of Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court’s new Second District. The Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council is made up of 18 local affiliate trade unions, and the McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Council is made up of 26 local affiliate trade unions.
“Growing up in a union household, the values of organized labor have forever been a part of my foundation,” said Judge Elizabeth Rochford. “That’s why I am so honored to receive the endorsements of the Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council, the McHenry Council Building & Construction Trades Council, and their affiliates. My first job as an attorney was helping injured people who needed someone to fight for them, and I’ve carried that experience with me throughout my career. As a Supreme Court Justice, I will always work to make our judicial system one where everyone is treated with fairness.”
* I told subscribers about Chaplin’s impending withdrawal several days ago. Here’s the Daily Herald…
Almost a decade ago, Democrats first made significant gains in Republican-dominated DuPage County with the election of two women.
State Rep. Deb Conroy and county board member Liz Chaplin won their seats in 2012.
Conroy is now running for the highest office in DuPage, and Chaplin has dropped out of the race. The state lawmaker from Villa Park has picked up Chaplin’s endorsement in her bid to become the first county board chairwoman in DuPage history. […]
Chaplin’s departure leaves Conroy in a Democratic primary contest against county board member Lynn LaPlante of Glen Ellyn. […]
LaPlante is serving her first term on the board. During a blue wave in the 2018 election, LaPlante came within 7,314 votes of unseating longtime Republican incumbent Dan Cronin from the chairmanship. The violist with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic had no primary opponent that year.
LaPlante most likely has some significant residual name ID from that super-close race. We’ve seen it before. But she only reported having $5,311.50 in her campaign committee’s bank on December 31, most of it from herself.
* We all know that Dick Uihlein has a long history of throwing millions of dollars at losers here in Illinois and elsewhere. His rigid ideology dictates his checkbook…
For instance, between January and May 2020, Uihlein contributed $1.25 million to the Conservative Partnership Institute, a right-wing think tank founded by former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) where Trump campaign attorney Cleta Mitchell was serving as senior legal fellow.
Mitchell, a veteran GOP operative, helped construct the campaign’s post-election legal strategy mostly behind the scenes. But she drew national attention in early January 2021 after she featured heavily in a taped phone call between then-President Donald Trump, his Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and Georgia’s top election officials. Trump pressured the election officials in that now infamous call to “find” enough votes for him to win Georgia. (Meadows joined Mitchell at CPI after he left the White House in January.) […]
Another right-wing outlet, Sons of Liberty—the media outfit, not to be confused with a militia group of the same name—pocketed $300,000 from the supply chain magnate. The radio broadcast, which promoted claims of fraud after the election, is run by anti-LGBTQ activist-pastor Bradlee Dean, who has suggested that “homosexuals” are to blame for most child molestations in the country. Most recently, Sons of Liberty has been on an anti-vax kick, pushing outrageous claims, like that the COVID-19 vaccine is causing AIDS.
Uihlein also threw a $25,000 bone to conservative watchdog Judicial Watch, run by conspiracy theorist Tom Fitton. That organization also challenged the election results.
* I told subscribers about this curious Jesse Sullivan D-2 entry the other day…
His campaign filing also appeared to incorrectly list that he had another $10 million in an investment account for his campaign, but that figure was not backed by reports of the funds that he raised since launching his campaign last September.
Campaign reports show Giannoulias raised more than $658,000 while spending only $82,244 during the last quarter. Giannoulias, attempting a political comeback after losing a 2010 bid for U.S. Senate, has seen his campaign fund boosted by nearly $2.3 million in family loans.
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, also seeking the Democratic secretary of state nomination, reported nearly $900,000 in cash available for her campaign on Jan. 1, raising more than $331,000 while spending more than $156,000.
A third announced candidate in the race, Chicago Ald. David Moore, 17th, listed $81,539 in cash on hand after raising more than $44,500 and spending more than $61,400, reports showed.
* Press release…
Jesse Reising, a sixth-generation son of Decatur, Illinois, former federal prosecutor, and founder of a successful veterans service organization announced his campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District today.
“I’m running to represent the people of Central and Southern Illinois because political insiders in Illinois and Washington are failing us, and we need new leadership,” said Jesse Reising, Republican candidate for Congress. “The America we know and love as the Land of Opportunity won’t exist just a few years from now if we don’t change course. Americans are seven percent poorer today due to inflation, seeds of division are being sown in our children, and we’re facing skyrocketing crime rates – all while China and other foreign adversaries exploit our current administration’s weakness to gain economic and military advantage over us.”
Reising is a lifelong public servant who knows how to get results against the odds. After a serious neck injury in college football prevented Reising from realizing his dream of serving his country as a Marine, he found new ways to serve and get results, at home and abroad. Reising went to Afghanistan as a contractor and launched a veterans’ service organization called the Warrior-Scholar Project that has empowered thousands of veterans to succeed in college. He went on to prosecute criminals as a federal prosecutor.
He’s already scrubbed his Twitter account to remove the word “Chicago.” Before and after…
Heh.
* Press release…
The Illinois State Board of Elections this week named longtime staff member Bernadette Matthews the agency’s executive director.
Matthews had served as assistant executive director since 2017 and had been acting executive director since April 2021. Matthews’ appointment was approved by a unanimous, 8-0 vote from the board at its Jan. 19 meeting.
A graduate of The Catholic University of America and Seton Hall University School of Law, Matthews joined the Board of Elections as legal counsel in 2009.
* More…
* Column: Gorman takes on Morrison in GOP primary; third Democrat seeks Sims’ county board seat
* The Chicago Tribune editorial board has gone from being deviously smart to… well…
An editorial on the state’s new criminal justice legislation that ran on Page 7 on Jan. 18 misspelled the name of former House Speaker Mike Madigan. The Tribune regrets the error.
New House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, now finishing his first year in the chair occupied by former Speaker Mike Madison
Hilarious.
* Also, this Tribune editorial was changed online without any sort of acknowledgement like the Madigan error was, so now their central claim about Bryan Traubert and his spouse doesn’t have near as much snap, although going after somebody’s spouse seems questionable to begin with here. The Tribunists claimed Traubert was the board chair, but that is no longer true. He sits on the 22-member board. But you do what you do, Tribbies…
But the bigger challenge, we think, will be reporting honestly on the powerful foundations with budgets in the billions that are part of this merger and that deserve the same scrutiny as government entities or corporations.
That’s compounded here both by the presence on the new Sun-Times board of directors of Kristen Mack, the managing director for communications for the MacArthur Foundation, and the identity of the recent chair of the WBEZ board, Bryan Traubert, husband of former U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, the sister of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is a supporter of this deal.
We’ve no reason to believe any of these high-achieving Chicagoans will impede editorial independence, but wise heads will look for certitude. Penny Pritzker, who has many talents, could run again for office or occupy a key government position in a future J.B. Pritzker administration. What happens then?
An Illinois state lawmaker is calling out a Springfield Lowe’s after an alleged racist encounter this week between two customers.
On Monday, Jan 17, Xuna Hu, a Chinese immigrant and Springfield resident, said she was shopping at the Lowe’s store on Wabash Avenue when a woman told her to go back to her country.
Hu says she was trying to buy two fire pits. She says she was waiting for family to help lift the heavy products when another store customer began to verbally attack her with racist remarks after Hu wouldn’t give her one of the fire pits.
“I was like alright, I’ll just give you one then. She went, ‘This is how it works here.’ So, I was like, ‘Okay ma’am, if I give you one it’s because I’m trying to be nice, it’s not how it works here,’” Hu said. “And then she was like ‘Go back to your country.’ Loud. In the store.”
An online video from Hu reportedly shows what happened right after the alleged incident.
* Rep. Theresa Mah (D-Chicago) has posted a petition online calling on Lowe’s to apologize…
On Martin Luther King Day, January 17, 2022, Xuna Hu, a Springfield resident, was shopping at the Lowe’s at 3101 Wabash Avenue in Springfield, Illinois, when she was racially harassed by a customer whose daughter Jennifer works at the store. She was told, “GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY” after the woman hostilely took one of the two firepits from her that she was planning to purchase, and when Xuna followed her to the checkout station with her cellphone camera on to demand an apology, another employee, David, blocked access to Jennifer and her mother, dismissed her request, and repeatedly demanded that she stop recording and erase her video. David kept demanding that Xuna erase the video because he claimed that she “was making [the incident] something bigger than it was.”
However, Lowe’s should know that for an Asian American to be told to “Go back to your country,” is to experience an unfortunately too common example of anti-Asian hate and racism. Asian Americans have been in the US for more than 175 years and those of us who live here have every right to call it home. The United States is our country too, so for someone who sees an Asian face and says “GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY,” they are assuming foreignness and expressing their belief that we do not belong in this country as much as a white person does, and that is just plain wrong. That’s blatantly racist and wrong.
“We were appalled to hear about this experience. At Lowe’s, discrimination of any kind is unacceptable. We spoke to Ms. Hu and apologized, letting her know we are taking swift action to address the matter. Our intent is to always ensure customers feel valued, respected and welcome. We are committed to creating a safe and open environment for all customers.”
* CAIR-Chicago…
The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today condemned an anti-Asian racist incident at a basketball game between Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CAIR-Chicago also supported a state lawmaker’s call for action after another anti-Asian racist incident in Springfield, Ill.
A viral Tik Tok video shows a University of Wisconsin-Madison fan making racist gestures toward a group of Northwestern fans at a basketball game between the two universities on Tuesday. The video shows the fan being escorted out of the stadium by a Northwestern official and a police officer. The Wisconsin Badgers condemned the incident on Twitter, calling it “abhorrent & disgusting.”
Illinois State Representative Teresa Mah (D-Chicago) is calling on Lowes to take action and provide racial sensitivity training to employees after an alleged anti-Asian incident at a Springfield Lowe’s. A Chinese immigrant was reportedly told to “go back to your country” by another customer. When she reported the incident to Lowe’s staff, they told her to stop recording video and threatened to kick her out of the store. In her online petition, Rep. Mah said this was not the first anti-Asian incident she heard of happening at a Lowe’s.
“As racist incidents targeting Asian-Americans and other members of minority communities continue to rise both in Illinois and nationwide, it is important that lawmakers, leaders and community members speak out and take action against hate,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab.
He said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
A Special Board Meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. This meeting may or may not be held, pending the outcome of a court ruling we are anticipating will be made the afternoon of Jan. 20. […]
The court case in question was filed by attorney Tom DeVore against 145 school districts across the state, including District 181. The suit is seeking to prevent those school districts from requiring students to wear masks and from excluding students from school for COVID-related reasons unless school districts follow certain procedures under the Illinois Department of Public Health Act.
From the onset of the case, it was the opinion of our attorneys that the ruling would not be in favor of DeVore, and masks and COVID-related exclusions would continue to be required in schools under the Governor’s executive order.
Late last week, our attorneys advised us that due to the recent nature of the judge’s comments, she may rule in favor of DeVore and that her ruling would be effective immediately (Friday, Jan. 21).
The purpose of the special meeting is for the Board to consider the following resolution authorizing the administration to take necessary actions in the event that the outcome of the DeVore ligation results in an invalidation of the Governor’s disaster declarations and emergency orders which authorize masking, exclusion and other safety measures. The resolution would allow the administration to continue current COVID-19 risk mitigation measures notwithstanding the Court’s ruling.
Representing the governor in Sangamon County Court Wednesday, Attorney Thomas Verticchio said the issue is really about the testing requirements, not whether there’s a COVID-19 vaccine mandate or law.
“None of that is relevant,” Verticchio said. “There is no vaccine requirement.”
Plaintiff’s attorney Thomas DeVore said even forcing testing requires due process by law, allowing individuals to challenge such requirements in court. […]
The judge took the school staff’s request for a temporary restraining order against the mandate under advisement with a ruling expected soon. The judge will also consider a motion for class certification, allowing others to join the lawsuit .
If the judge rules that covid tests require some sort of due process, the legislature is going to have to step in fast.
* Other districts are voting to join the DeVore lawsuit if a class is certified. For instance…
The Clinton Board of Education Tuesday night approved joining a lawsuit against the Illinois State Board of Education to sue over its mandates on schools.
*** UPDATE *** Not today…
Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow took under advisement the case more than 700 parents have against 145 schools over masks and exclusion policies. She said not to expect a ruling before next Friday. pic.twitter.com/udgYuQrWrn
* IDPH reports 6,258 hospitalizations as of midnight last night, down from 6,507 reported yesterday. That now gives us a 7-day rolling average decrease of 2.07 percent. Yesterday’s 7-day rolling average decrease was 1.04 percent.
Illinois appears to be past the peak of its largest COVID-19 surge so far as cases and hospitalizations driven by the omicron variant are starting to decline, but officials urged continued caution as the state’s health care system remains under unprecedented strain.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday called the latest trend “a welcome change after precipitous increases over the prior seven weeks.” […]
“I want to be clear: I am cautiously optimistic about this decline,” Pritzker said during a news conference at the Thompson Center in the Loop. “But there are an awful lot of people still battling for their lives in hospitals across Illinois.”
* We don’t talk much about case numbers here for good reason. Dr. Ezike addressed this topic yesterday during the press conference when responding to questions about falling case numbers and hospitalizations…
So obviously, we are already seeing some of the things that we’d like to see in terms of downward trends in hospitalizations. Again, I am absolutely moving away from the cases because we know that that’s not even the full story, given all the home test and all the positives that are happening at home that are not recorded in any of our Department of Public Health databases. But the hospitalizations, you can’t hide a hospitalization. And so as we look at those hospitalizations and understand where those numbers are going, that is definitely a clear signal of the direction we’re moving in. And we can be moving downward now, but as you know, people have appropriately asked, ‘But what about the next one?’
With that being said, my brother Devin sent me this fascinating graph created by Eastern Illinois University’s Ryan Burge. It covers case trends in Illinois counties from December 15 to yesterday. While far from a perfect tracker, some counties still look like they are in big trouble. Click the pic for a larger image…
Burge said counties in blue are those where the total number of cases yesterday was at least 20 percent lower than that county’s worst day of the omicron surge. “That’s my attempt at trying to delineate which counties are over the peak now.”
* Advocate Aurora Health employees have posted pleas to get vaccinated on YouTube. Here’s one…
“The number one rule of virus economics,” economist Austan Goolsbee says: “If you want to help the economics, you’ve got to get control of the virus.”
The first half of 2021, when COVID seemed to abate, economic signs were good. But “delta and omicron stalled that progress, and indicators are pointing downwards as the impact of omicron continues. When the data come out for January, it’s going to show a slowdown,” Goolsbee, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and a former economic advisor to President Barack Obama, says on the latest episode of the A.D. Q&A podcast.
“Consumer spending, which had been pretty strong, dropped almost 2% for the month. That’s a pretty dramatic shift on a one-month basis. That’s before omicron kind of reached its peak. I’d think we’re going to get a slowdown from the next data.”
Jacking up interest rates right now would be like using a hammer to paint a house.
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) says he and his wife, along with their daughter, tested positive for the virus last week. […]
“Started with a soar throat, led to a cough that developed into a deep, rough cough. I had fever spikes throughout the day for several days and an achy body and headache,” said Barickman.”
Barickman says he and his wife are vaccinated but have not received the booster shot.
* How do you make art during a pandemic? Carefully: Chicago’s theaters, concert halls, and other venues navigate mask-wearing for performers and patrons, testing for COVID and sometimes canceling shows amid the omicron surge.
I just want to add one comment, though, you asked about candidates. One thing I will say to you is, if you want to have the job of being governor, you should have to take questions from members of the media just like I do. And so I would hope that any candidate that is running and announced that they’re going to run is going to take questions, and not wait weeks after announcing to do so.
It’s true that the Republican candidates for all of the statewide offices have not yet or (for those who jumped into the race last year) rarely if ever publicly submit themselves to questions from reporters.
* DPI today…
Statewide GOP Candidates’ Silence on Trump, Biden Speaks Volumes
Today, on the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s inauguration, every Illinois Republican statewide candidate is choosing to remain silent about where they stand on the Big Lie that continues to undermine our democracy. Illinois voters deserve to know if these candidates want to take the Big Lie to Springfield or if they accept the results of free and fair elections.
All of the statewide Republican candidates, including Richard Irvin, Darren Bailey, Jesse Sullivan, Paul Schimpf, Gary Rabine, Avery Bourne, Stephanie Trussell, Carolyn Schofield, Aaron Del Mar, John Milhiser, Dan Brady, Tom Demmer, Shannon Teresi, and Steve Kim, must go on the record and answer basic questions about the 2020 presidential election. It should not be difficult for these candidates to tell voters who they voted for in the 2020 presidential election, if they accept Joe Biden as the legitimate winner, and if they will accept the electoral results in 2022.
Their continued silence speaks volumes about their priorities and willingness to undermine the democratic process. It is clear that with the modern Republican Party, our democracy takes a backseat to their political agenda.
Thoughts?
…Adding… He’s taken questions on most of these topics over the years, and he just held a long press conference yesterday and nobody asked the other questions on this list…
The Illinois Republican Party released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s call for Republicans to answer questions:
“Republicans will not be lectured on answering questions by a Madigan-allied governor who refuses to answer basic questions about his own corruption and scandals. When JB Pritzker starts answering about indictments, patronage, tax fraud, dead veterans and state-sponsored child abuse, he’ll have just a tad more credibility.”
Every time JB Pritzker uses the phrase “answer questions,” we’ll send around another set of questions that JB Pritzker refuses to answer. Here are two questions for today:
When did JB Pritzker first learn that his DCFS was abusing children, and why hasn’t he fired the DCFS director?
Elected officials in the crosshairs of federal investigators shouldn’t be able to dip into their campaign funds to pay defense attorneys, a freshman alderman says — but a lawyer for his maligned predecessor’s ward organization says there’d have to be a change in state law to cut off politicians’ legal piggy banks.
Illinois’ highest court is now deliberating that contentious issue — or most of the court, that is. Two jurists have recused themselves from the case, including [Justice Mary Jane Theis and] Chief Justice Anne Burke, whose indicted husband Ald. Ed Burke (14th) has shelled out about $2 million in campaign cash to lawyers involved in his public corruption case.
The five remaining state Supreme Court justices heard arguments Wednesday hinging on whether the high-priced criminal defenses that so many Illinois officials have had to pony up for amount to “personal” expenses prohibited by campaign finance law.
The case was brought to the court by Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez in an effort to stop elected officials from using campaign funds to pay lawyers for personal matters. He’s seeking to overturn an earlier State Board of Elections decision to reject the Sigcho-Lopez case.
Sigcho-Lopez is represented by Adolfo Mondragon. Mondragon told the justices the case is to stop elected officials from using donor money to pay for their legal problems.
“The purpose of the Campaign Disclosure Act of the Illinois Election Code is to deter and mitigate public corruption,” Mondragon said.
The case comes after Sigcho-Lopez filed a complaint against former 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis and his decision to use $220,000 of campaign funds to pay his lawyers to defend himself from accusations of wrongdoing.
Mondragon argued that what Solis did is exactly what they are trying to prevent from happening again.
“Let’s be clear here, the $220,000 Danny Solis owed the law firm of Foley and Lardner is what is normally considered a personal debt,” Mondragon said. “It was not a campaign debt because he was not running for office.”
“What a slap in the face” it is to allow politicians accused of political corruption to use funds contributed by supporters of their campaigns to defend themselves from accusations of wrongdoing while in office, Mondragon told the justices. […]
Michael Dorf, the attorney for the 25th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, urged the court to defer to the Illinois State Board of Elections, which voted 8-0 to reject Sigcho-Lopez’s complaint. Allowing politicians to use campaign funds to pay legal fees associated with corruption probes has been “policy for a very long time” and should not be changed.
State law allows campaign funds to be used to pay for expenses incurred by elected officials that are “customary and reasonable” — but not for purely personal expenses, such as clothes, haircuts and club memberships.
Justice Michael Burke asked Dorf how it is not the “antithesis” of laws designed to prevent corruption and encourage good government policy to allow campaign funds to cover legal fees associated with legal probes.
In response, Dorf acknowledged that Solis had been contacted by federal prosecutors, and had cooperated with their probe.
The State Board of Elections said if the General Assembly wanted to enact a specific prohibition on the use of campaign funds for legal fees, they could write that into the law.
Justice Michael Burke referred to a similar case that came before the Supreme Court in New Jersey.
The court in New Jersey “looked at this exact issue,” Burke said. “It said this: ‘We have yet to reach the point where it can be said that defending against federal or state criminal indictment alleging corrupt practices is an ordinary expense of holding public office.’”
Burke asked, “Are we at that point in Illinois where we’re going to say that that’s an ordinary expense of holding public office?”
“The legislature knows how to deal with that,” election attorney Michael Dorf replied. “That’s a legislative solution, and Illinois knows how to do that if they wanted to do it. And the Illinois legislature hasn’t.”
The appellant lives in a world where everybody is guilty. And everybody is not guilty. People are investigated and they are not charged. People are charged and they are not convicted. It’s not just the individual who may be under suspicion who is at risk here. People who are public officials who have no connection with a person may be under investigation, may have had an email from that person. And suddenly they are the subject of a subpoena for thousands of records or perhaps hours of deposition testimony. And the legal fees in those situations are oppressive and unfair for someone who just happened to be the the recipient of an email, email or a phone call. […]
Would this expenditure have occurred irrespective of the person’s status as a candidate or a public office holder? And it is absolutely clear that the FBI would not have come to Ald. Soliz and said, ‘We want you to cooperate and wear a wire on members of the city council and members of state legislatures’ if this person had not been a public official able to be in those those types of dealings. So the irrespective test sets a good standard for that. And the courts have acknowledged this. It’s an interesting logic, but how can you be accused of, or involved in public corruption if you’re not a public official somehow?
* Meanwhile, former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s latest D-2 filing shows he paid the Baltimore law firm of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP just $18K for legal work during the fourth quarter. He paid the firm, which bills itself as having “World-class regulatory, litigation and transactional solutions for your most complex challenges,” $12K in the third quarter, along with $50K to DC law firm O’Melveny & Myers, which does white collar defense and corporate investigations. His 13th Ward organization had no legal fees in the fourth quarter.
January 19, 2021
State Representative Camille Lilly
cc: Governor J.B. Pritzker, Speaker Chris Welch
Chairperson Lilly,
Since the original letter I sent you more than a week ago requesting an immediate hearing into the ongoing failures at the Department of Children and Family Services, further damning incidents have come to light.
We have learned that DCFS Director Marc Smith has been held in contempt of a court yet again – his third time in less than a week. This time it was because the agency held a 17-year-old boy in a psychiatric facility for four months after he was ready to be placed in a more appropriate setting.
We found out that DCFS may have failed Damari Perry, the 6-year-old North Chicago boy who was murdered, allegedly by his mother. Before his death, DCFS opened two investigations into the family, including looking into threatening messages his mother wrote about harming the boy. Somehow, those investigations were closed and marked as “unfounded.”
It has also become clear that House Democratic Caucus refuses to act on this matter despite the fact that every day these issues at DCFS go unchecked is another day that the Pritzker Administration is failing kids in the care of the state of Illinois. Additionally, there has still been no Appropriations Human Services Committee scheduled to publicly investigate the shortcomings at DCFS.
The children of Illinois need a functioning DCFS to ensure their safety. As committee chair, it is your duty and obligation to schedule a hearing so the General Assembly can get to the bottom of the critical question of what is happening at DCFS. The Republican members are prepared to meet immediately. Please do not follow the path of silence the Governor is taking on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Jim Durkin
House Republican Leader
*** UPDATE *** The House just posted an Appropriations-Human Services Committee hearing for January 28th…
Amid the recently reported shortcomings of the Department of Children and Family Services, Chairwoman Lilly will be calling a public hearing on Friday, Jan. 28, to inquire about the department’s ongoing financial and operational issues.
“The current concerns with the DCFS have made it necessary to call a hearing so we can better understand the needs of the children and form holistic, long-term solutions. These problems have been going on for years and our focus is on the children and workers, so I request everyone in the hearing to conduct themselves in a serious, bipartisan fashion without losing focus,” said Lilly.
* Media advisory…
WHO: House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), Assistant House Republican Leader Ryan Spain (R-Peoria), Assistant House Republican Leader Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont), and State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis)
WHAT: House Republicans will discuss legislation filed to repeal the SAFE-T Act.
WHEN: 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 20th, 2022
WHERE: Zoom and Live on BlueRoomStream
* ILGOP…
Pritzker’s state-sponsored child abuse
Behind the violent crimes ravaging our state are the faces and names of victims. Instead of standing up for those victims – and working to prevent more people from becoming victims – Pritzker has signed legislation putting criminals first and victims last.
It’s no surprise Pritzker doesn’t care about the victims of crime. This is the same governor that let 36 veterans die of COVID at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home in 2020.
Now we learn that Pritzker’s administration has engaged in state-sponsored child abuse at the Department of Children and Family Services. JB Pritzker should be held accountable for what his administration has done.
When did Pritzker find out his agency director was abusing kids and why has he not fired his director?
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said GOP candidates for governor, making crime — especially in Chicago — central campaign themes should think twice about damaging the city’s reputation.
“Vilifying the economic engine of your state just strikes me as a really foolhardy strategy,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday. […]
Irvin said, if governor, he would be “removing liberal prosecutors who look to decriminalize acts of violence.” That seems aimed at Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.
A governor can’t get rid of an elected official — no matter their politics. What he means is a ripe question for Irvin, who has yet to do interviews with reporters.
Lightfoot said there are “definitely productive ways in which a governor can be helpful. But anybody who thinks that they’re going to solve crime by sitting in Springfield and lobbing bombs obviously doesn’t understand the first thing about public safety.”
Well, I appreciate. I have not heard that. That’s very kind of her. And, and yeah, I mean, I think, you know, the, what I can say is, there’s nobody running, as far as I know, for mayor. And I think, you know, the mayor has worked well with me, especially as we have addressed the pandemic, broadly. And so, you know, we have a good relationship. And, you know, I, I know we’ll keep working together to make sure we’re keeping people safe and healthy.
* 6,507 hospitalizations were reported by IDPH today. That’s down from 6,695 reported yesterday, or 2.8 percent. The 7-day rolling average decrease is now 1.7 percent, down from the 1.04 percent average decrease yesterday. Deaths were up, but that’s likely due to the holiday. Coroners weren’t working. Death stats are not reliable the first day or even two back from a weekend, particularly a long one. Other outlets jumped the gun.
Of those hospitalized, 1,085 are in intensive care, down 4.1% from a week ago, according to Illinois Department of Public Health records.
IDPH officials also reported 160 more COVID-19 deaths, as well as 26,491 new cases of the respiratory disease.
That’s the highest number of deaths recorded in a single day from the virus in more than a year, IDPH records show.
It also brings the state’s death toll from the virus to 29,510, while 2,709,474 infections have been diagnosed since the outset of the pandemic.
Again, some or even many of those new deaths reported are very likely due to coroners and others not working over the holiday weekend.
* Don’t celebrate yet, particularly if you don’t live in Chicago or the area around it…
Chicago has passed its peak in the latest COVID-19 surge, the city’s chief health officer says.
“We have formally passed the omicron peak” in the city of Chicago, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said at a news conference today with CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. There’s a way to go, but “I’m really pleased to have seen this turnaround,” she says. See the latest city and state COVID figures in the charts below.
COVID cases in Chicago peaked Jan. 4, with a daily total of 8,553 cases that day. Today, the case average is 2,903.
That’s “still very high, the risk remains high, but (we’re) heading in the right direction,” Arwady said.
The risk remains high. Remember that. Let’s not go backward.
Vaccine providers in Illinois have now administered 20,054,921 doses, according to IDPH records.
IDPH officials also report vaccine providers are averaging 47,010 inoculations a day over the past week.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8,250,044 Illinois residents are considered fully vaccinated. That accounts for 65.1% of the state’s 12.7 million residents. These figures include residents who were vaccinated in other states.
Of those fully vaccinated, 43.6% have received a booster dose, CDC records show.
Statewide, the CDC reports far northwestern Jo Daviess County has the highest percentage of its population fully vaccinated, at 75.2%. Lake County has the second-highest fully vaccinated rate, at 74.7%. DuPage County is third at 74.1%.
I’m going to get straight to the point. Are you satisfied with the safety and security of your community?
Let me just give you a quick review… in 2021 Chicago surpassed 800 murders.
Yes, you read that correctly - eight hundred murders! This is nothing short of failed leadership from politicians like Pritzker who continue to push lunacy policies like defunding the police. This soft-on-crime approach has simply exacerbated the problem and further divided our great state.
Let me ask you this: Is this how you imagine the future of our state to look? Take a stand with me and contribute to my Back the Blue Fund to help me advance policies that defend the men and women who keep our communities safe.
As a Mayor of a major urban city, I’ve seen first hand what happens when you leave communities vulnerable by not taking action against criminals and looters who damage property and harm local citizens, like we saw during the summer of 2020. We all watched in horror as Chicago allowed criminal activity to overrun a city under Democratic control. As Mayor, I did not hesitate to crack down on crime, support policing and even called in the National Guard when appropriate. We arrested the law-breakers and ensured thugs from out of state could not enter our streets and harm our citizens.
Here’s the bottom line. Crime remains one of the largest issues facing urban communities throughout this country and in major cities across our state.
As your next Governor, I’ll implement proven strategies to decrease crime, while removing liberal prosecutors who look to decriminalize acts of violence. It’s time we kick these soft-on-crime Democrats who support defunding our police out of power so we can keep our streets safe and our citizens secure.
Will you chip in any amount to my Back the Blue Fund to stand with me as a fellow law-and-order supporter?
Chip in $75 to Back the Blue
Chip in $50 to Back the Blue
Chip in $25 to Back the Blue
Chip in $10 to Back the Blue
Any contribution to my Back the Blue Fund will help us fight against the failed policies of liberal politicians, woke prosecutors and soft-on-crime Democrat leaders. Thank you for considering this urgent request to help protect the safety and security of our future.
Fighting for Illinois,
Richard Irvin
* About that National Guard claim. Here’s Mark Maxwell…
On Irvin’s campaign website, he claims he called in the national guard to respond to looting in the aftermath of protests over the murder of George Floyd. However, a spokesman for the Illinois National Guard confirmed mayors do not have that authority, and would have to make any request through the governor’s office.
Governor Pritzker’s office declared states of emergency in several counties during the protests and looting incidents of the summer of 2020, and issued deployments of the national guard to assist local police departments in several cities, including Aurora. Calls to Irvin’s office in Aurora were not returned on Monday.
The next year, while he was running for re-election in Aurora in the spring of 2021, Irvin told a local news outlet, “I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately.”
Also, I’m not sure what legal mechanism exists for a governor to remove liberal prosecutors. Bruce Rauner, remember, pledged he would investigate Madigan and Co. and prosecute them if elected. Um, no.
Sure did hit all the talking points on the head, though.
* Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s D-2 caught my eye last night. Despite reporting that he raised almost $500K in the quarter, Bailey actually ended the quarter with $200K less than he started it with…
* Let’s back up a bit. Restore Illinois was founded in 2018 to raise money to elect Eastern Bloc legislative candidates. It has reported raising $477,442 since it was founded, with $200K coming from that above-mentioned Bailey contribution and $319,800 since the start of the 4th quarter last year.
What happened last year? The remap. As part of Democratic redistricting, fellow Eastern Bloc Reps. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) and Chris Miller (R-Oakland) were mapped into the same district, the 102nd. Eventually, Rep. Miller (no relation) agreed to move and run in the neighboring and vacant 101st House District. His spouse, US Rep. Mary Miller, was mapped in with fellow Republican Mike Bost, but then she decided to run against Rep. Rodney Davis.
There has been some paranoia within the Eastern Bloc about how agents of Rodney Davis are supposedly trying to gin up opponents against some of them. From Rep. Chris Miller earlier this month…
Never-Trumper Rodney Davis is looking for RINO candidates to run against every pro-life, pro-gun Republicans who supported Trump. Conservative Republicans will defeat liberals like Rodney Davis who stabbed President Trump in the back. The America First movement will not back down to the RINO establishment - we will defeat any and all liberal RINOs Rodney Davis recruits.
OK.
* Anyway, Restore Illinois collected $319,800 from three Eastern Bloc Members last quarter: $200K from Sen. Darren Bailey in October, $59,900 from Rep. Blaine Wilhour in November and $59,900 from Rep. Adam Niemerg in December. The PAC refunded $150,100 to Bailey a week after he made his contribution because, by law, it can only accept $59,900 from a candidate committee. Oops.
Almost all of the $179,700 Restore Illinois collected from those three members was then transferred to Rep. Miller shortly after each of the three contributions were received. Click here.
* Here’s where it gets kinda interesting. Neither Rep. Wilhour nor Rep. Niemerg had enough money in their accounts to make those $59,900 contributions to Restore Illinois.
Same with Rep. Niemerg, who started the fourth quarter with just $23,380.40 in the bank. Bailey maxed out to Niemerg with $59,900 that was reported on December 3rd, and Restore Illinois reported its $59.9K contribution from Niemerg on December 22nd.
So, essentially it appears as though Bailey was able to get $169,800 to his ally Rep. Chris Miller via a complicated series of maneuvers through other campaign accounts. It’s a mechanism that might’ve made Mike Madigan proud.
Except, they didn’t have to do it this way. Rep. Miller busted the caps on his race on November 22nd with a $100,001 contribution to himself. Bailey could’ve just written Miller a check for whatever he wanted.
Seems like a lot of work for nothing.
* Now, take out the refund from Restore Illinois and Bailey raised a net $349K. Of that, he contributed a net $230K to Restore Illinois and Eastern Bloc Reps. Wilhour, Niemerg and Dan Caulkins, or 66 percent of what he took in. You gotta wonder what all those folks who believe so strongly in Bailey’s message might think of him spending two-thirds of their money not on his “grass roots movement,” but on his pals’ races.
I’ve asked the Bailey campaign for comment.
* Meanwhile, Bailey spent about $410K on consultants and their services, staff, etc.
All of his spending and transfers gave Bailey a net burn rate of 183 percent by my calculations.
Hope he doesn’t try to run the state like that.
*** UPDATE *** Bailey campaign…
We are in a fight for the heart and soul of our state and the Republican Party. It’s evident the corruption in Springfield isn’t partisan, and we’re all tired of the political elites selling out working families and taxpayers. Darren Bailey was given money from generous donors who have indicated they not only want to take on extreme Democrats, but they want to take on RINOs. The money was then sent to several members of the conservative coalition and the Restore Illinois PAC. On top of defeating the establishment’s Democrat in the Republican Primary for Governor, and taking on Democrats in other races across the state, the Restore Illinois PAC is planning on challenging Republicans who have sold out working families and our conservative principles to vote with Democrats to raise taxes. This is the only way we can truly reform Springfield and restore Illinois.
Our team is grateful for Gov. Pritzker’s service and the progress our state has made under his leadership. The Pritzker Administration is delivering higher wages for workers, strengthening our state’s finances, investing in our infrastructure, protecting the environment, securing reproductive rights, and more.
Sign our card for Governor JB Pritzker to wish him a Happy Birthday and show your support as we continue to deliver real progress for the people of Illinois:
* Pritzker himself…
Thank you for the birthday wishes and kind words!
As I look forward to another year, I’m so grateful to have your friendship, partnership, and support as we fight for our great state of Illinois. https://t.co/DNkwX3u6UJ
Past birthday wishes for the Governor have gone unfulfilled: Progressive income tax, Senate President Kimberly Lightford, and DPI Chairwoman Michelle Harris
It’s usually sad when birthday wishes don’t come true. But when it comes to Governor JB Pritzker’s unfulfilled wishes - the failures are embarrassing. We hate to be a downer on the Governor’s birthday, but let’s take a look at how JB’s hopes have often go awry:
Birthday Wish #1: Implement a massive tax hike on Illinoisans via the Tax Hike Amendment of 2020.
Unfortunately for Pritzker, his hopes of higher taxes met the will of the people who soundly rejected his progressive tax proposal at the ballot box in November 2020. This was a high profile defeat for the Governor and cast massive doubt about his future agenda and the effectiveness of his political team. Even so, we know this remains his #1 birthday wish again this year - he’ll never stop trying to raise taxes - which is why we will work overtime to defeat Pritzker in November.
Birthday Wish #2: Elevate Senator Kimberly Lightford to Senate President.
After the retirement of longtime Senate President John Cullerton, the race was on to see which Democratic senator would take his place. The contest was whittled down to Senators Don Harmon and Kimberly Lightford. Pritzker publicly and privately pushed hard to elect Lightford to the position but was rebuffed by a majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus who nominated Don Harmon instead. The defeat was an embarrassing and unexpected one at the hands of supposed legislative allies.
Birthday Wish #3: Elect Chicago Alderwoman Michelle Harris to be Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Pritzker tried to impose his wishes again to anoint Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris as Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) after his old ally Mike Madigan had to go away quietly. The new chair was elected by the state central committee of the DPI and again, the Governor found that while his inherited billions will spend, his political capital will not. Instead, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, backed by US Senator Dick Durbin, edged out Harris and was elected DPI Chairwoman. This was another stinging defeat for the Governor that left him wondering if any of the “friends” at his birthday party actually like or respect him.
We wish we could say we hope for the Governor’s dreams to come true in 2022 - but we don’t. The people of Illinois can’t afford Pritzker’s wish list of higher taxes, coddling criminals, and more corruption.
* The Question: Your birthday message to Gov. Pritzker?
Just over a year out from her presumed re-election bid, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s latest financial totals are out, and it’s fair to call them distinctly mediocre.
Lightfoot pulled in a combined $538,000 for her two political funds, a big chunk of it raised on a recent campaign swing to California. […]
Lightfoot for Chicago has $1.215 million in the bank, more than enough to get a solid campaign up and running, and Light PAC another $351,000. […]
At a press conference today, the mayor disagreed her fundraising this quarter was lackluster: “Given that we were in a pandemic and the amount of challenges we were facing… I feel pretty good about where our fundraising is.”
Factor in campaign expenses, mainly for consultants and staff, and Lightfoot’s two campaign committees netted a combined $61,289.43 for the quarter.
A new candidate has announced he is seeking candidacy for the Republican nomination of State Representative for the new 108th District. This district covers all of Menard County, and portions of Sangamon, Christian, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties.
Wayne Rosenthal, a Republican from Morrisonville, says that he has thrown in his hat to run for the new 108th District. Rosenthal has received several endorsements including Congressman Rodney Davis, Darin LaHood, and Mike Bost. He has also been supported by State Representatives Avery Bourne, Tim Butler and former State Rep Mike Murphy.
Rosenthal says that he and his family are excited to announce that he is running. He says he knows the area well, and has served the citizens for many years including the Illinois Air National Guard, coaching youth baseball, and serving in the General Assembly. ROsenthal also says that he plans to work hard, share his conservative vision for the state, and earn every vote in this election.
Rosenthal left the House to run IDNR for Gov. Bruce Rauner.
A doctor from Morton says he’s running for an open Illinois House seat that includes much of the district now represented by retiring state Rep. Keith Sommer.
Emergency physician and anesthesiologist Dr. Bill Hauter plans to run in the redrawn 87th House District. Hauter, a Republican, is a member of the Tazewell County Board. The 87th District includes portions of Tazewell, McLean, Logan, Sangamon, Macon, and DeWitt counties.
Hauter works primarily as an anesthesiologist in Peoria. He picks up shifts as an emergency physician as needed; over the past few years, he says, he has been needed to treat COVID-19 patients on a regular basis. Because of this, Hauter said, he can bring a new perspective to the General Assembly as they make decisions about the pandemic.
While he supports vaccination, Hauter is against vaccine mandates. […]
Sommer and Hauter are longtime friends, says Hauter. Sommer previously endorsed Hauter in his run for Tazewell County Board, and the pair have worked together on adoption reform legislation in the past. Hauter has an adopted child from Bulgaria, and his wife Shelley is the director of the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center.
* Press release…
Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, endorsed three women for election in Illinois, including Juliana Stratton for lieutenant governor, Susana Mendoza for comptroller, and Anna Valencia for secretary of state. Laphonza Butler, president of EMILY’s List, released the following statement:
“These groundbreaking women have been lifelong advocates for their communities, championing everything from youth development and empowerment programs, to animal welfare and social services initiatives. EMILY’s List is confident that under their leadership, Illinois will be best positioned to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and become a place where all people can flourish.”
“It’s only day three of his campaign, and Richard Irvin is already being slammed by Illinoisans — including those in his own party,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Irvin has done a complete 180 from praising Gov. JB Pritzker to running a Rauner reboot campaign. Even if Irvin survives the bruising GOP primary, he won’t stand a chance against Gov. Pritzker, who Irvin himself agreed is ‘a great leader.’”
There’s been a lot of hype about the political operatives behind Richard Irvin’s GOP gubernatorial bid having previously led former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign and the effort to defeat the graduated income tax.
But recent campaign donations show that two big donors to those efforts are behind Jesse Sullivan’s GOP bid for governor.
Richard Colburn and Michael Keiser have donated $50,000 and $5,000 respectively to Sullivan’s campaign.
Colburn gave $500,000 to the group that helped defeat the graduated income tax measure backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, and he gave $10,000 to Citizens for Judicial Fairness, which helped defeat former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride’s retention effort.
Keiser gave $25,000 to the effort to stop the graduated income tax plan. And both he and Colburn donated to Rauner’s 2018 bid for governor.
Sullivan is reporting $9.1 million in the bank, according to the latest campaign filings, though the bigger news is that he has yet to name a running mate.
He can’t gather signatures until he can list a lieutenant governor on his petitions. Playbook hears that announcement will be soon.
Not sure what that’s supposed to mean. Sullivan got a bit of cash from two people who also hated the graduated income tax and a Democratic Supreme Court justice and that’s supposed to show… what?
Also, she’s right about the running mate thing. Everyone else has a head start on him. Subscribers know more.
* Press release…
Illinois Supreme Court to Hear Chicago Alderman’s Appeal to Stop Elected Officials From Using Campaign Cash to Pay for Criminal Defense Fees
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) filed a complaint centered around ex-Ald. Danny Solis in 2019
WHO:
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward
Adolfo Mondragon, Esq.
WHAT:
In Byron Sigcho-Lopez v. State of Ill. Bd. of Elections et al., No. 127253, the Illinois Supreme Court will hear arguments from Adolfo Mondragon, Esq. on behalf of Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) to reverse a lower court’s decision dismissing Sigcho-Lopez’s complaint that elected officials should not use campaign cash to pay for criminal defense attorneys.
Sigcho-Lopez filed an appeal in May 2021 to the Illinois Supreme Court from a decision out of the 1st District Court of Appeals, challenging whether the Campaign Disclosure Act of the election code allows politicians to use campaign funds for criminal defense fees.
Sigcho-Lopez was elected in 2019 to succeed former Alderman Danny Solis, who has spent more than $220,000 from his 25th Ward campaign fund to pay for his defense team while under federal investigation.
A bill filed by state Rep. Charles Meier aims to combat voter fraud by allowing a county clerk the ability to cancel a voter registration if they do not think the person is a qualified voter.
House Bill 4310 was filed in December by state Rep. Charles Meier, R-Highland. The bill seeks to address issues with the state’s mail-in vote system and would give county clerks the ability to turn down a voter registration if the clerk believes the registration is fake or if the voter has passed away or moved.
“Illinois is notorious for having a lot of dead people vote,” Meier said. “It seems kind of amazing there is always accusations of this … and what simpler way to clean up the process than by using your county clerks.”
Illinois may be notorious for that, but it’s not been shown to actually be a thing that happens in real life beyond a few isolated incidents.
Review of jury summons. If, upon review of the list of returned juror summons under Section 9.3 of the Jury Commission Act, the county clerk is of the opinion that any person registered is not a qualified voter or has ceased to be a qualified voter, he or she shall send a notice through the United States mail to such person, requiring him or her to appear before the county clerk for a hearing within 5 days after the date of mailing the notice and show cause why his or her registration shall not be cancelled. If such person fails to appear within such time as provided, his or her registration shall be cancelled. If such person does appear, he or she shall execute an affidavit similar in every respect to the affidavit required of applicants under Section 6-29.
Not onerous at all. /s
…Adding… Press release…
Today, the Madison County Democrats and the St. Clair County Democrats announced their endorsement of Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. Madison and St. Clair Counties make up significant portions of the newly drawn 13th Congressional District.
The Madison and St. Clair County Democrats’ endorsement is the latest in a broad coalition of support that Budzinski is building, including U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, EMILY’s List, State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, Rep. “Chuy” García, Rep. Sean Casten, Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Bill Foster, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, State Senator Christopher Belt, Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman, House Democratic Caucus Chair LaToya Greenwood, State Representative Katie Stuart, UFCW Local 881, Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), SEIU State Council, United Steelworkers (USW), IBEW Locals 51, 146, 193, 309, 601 and 649, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation Workers’ Union, Heat and Frost Insulators, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI), Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 8, Elect Democratic Women, Pastor T. Ray McJunkins, County Chairs Bill Houlihan (Sangamon), Mark Pohlman (Jersey), Paul “Snow” Herkert (Calhoun), Ben Curtin (Christian) and Pam Monetti (Macoupin).
* The word “Griffin” is not mentioned once, of course. How are they gonna fund these candidates? Irvin has just $164,888.35 in his municipal campaign account. Such a mystery…
Illinois Republicans have joined together on an organized statewide slate of candidates behind Richard Irvin for Governor and Avery Bourne for Lieutenant Governor. They will be joined by John Milhiser (Secretary of State), Tom Demmer (Treasurer), Shannon Teresi (Comptroller), and Steve Kim (Attorney General) in an effort to end the culture of corruption that has permeated Illinois government through the Madigan Machine politicians that have filled our state’s top executive offices for decades.
The announcement of the slate of candidates comes on the heels of Irvin’s historic campaign kick-off earlier this week, promising to not only clean up corruption in Springfield, but also fight crime and cut taxes and spending.
“I’m the only candidate for governor to take on Mike Madigan and win, and I know that Madigan will keep running our state until we replace his allies with true public servants,” Irvin said. “That’s what this slate brings to the table: candidates with the experience and qualifications necessary to take our state back.”
Irvin’s running mate, Avery Bourne, believes this slate will restore public trust in government, something that has been waning for decades but especially over the last few years as federal indictments have continued to fall on elected officials.
“Each candidate on our slate has the experience and dedication Illinois needs to root out the corruption that is so ingrained in this state,” said Bourne. “Together, we are committed to fixing our state. We will work together to reduce crime, fight corruption, and return fiscal responsibility for the people of this great state.”
John Milhiser is running for Secretary of State and previously served as the Sangamon County State’s Attorney and the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, overseeing federal investigations in 46 counties. He was confirmed with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate, including Senators Durbin and Duckworth. John has investigated and prosecuted corrupt politicians, murderers, violent criminals, child predators, drug dealers, embezzlers, and human traffickers. As Secretary of State he will make sure we never go back to the history of corruption for which that office has been a crucible.
“Illinois state government has had a pervasive culture of corruption for decades,” Milhiser said. “It’s past time for our state to be led by individuals who will work to rebuild public trust in our leaders. That’s why I support Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne. Richard has a strong record of working for the betterment of his community, has honorably served our nation, and will be a governor the people of Illinois will be proud of.”
Tom Demmer serves as Deputy Republican Leader in the Illinois House, representing the 90th District. As the Republican caucus’ expert in exposing Madigan-Pritzker budget gimmicks, he is a leading voice for meaningful fiscal reform that will put Illinois back on the right path. An innovative, out of the box thinker, Tom’s experience will be crucial in guiding the state’s financial future as our next Treasurer.
“Richard Irvin understands that the tax burden on Illinois families is a primary reason why we are losing more and more people to neighboring states every year,” Demmer said. “Avery Bourne is a tremendous leader, an advocate for Illinoisans, and someone whose love for this state is palpable. Richard and Avery are the people we need in Springfield to fix our broken finances, provide tax relief, and guide us into the future.”
Shannon Teresi is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, an internal auditor, and currently serves as the McHenry County Auditor. Under her leadership, the county has cut fraud and abuse out of the budget, and consistently earned AAA bond ratings. As the next Comptroller, Shannon will ensure that the financial reporting of our state is appropriately audited, will cut out corruption just as she has done in McHenry County, and will make sure that taxpayers know exactly where their dollars are going.
“The Madigan Machine and their career politicians have had the opportunity to change the trajectory of this state, and instead have stood in the way of progress for their own benefit,” Teresi said. “Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne will bring new, innovative leadership to our state government, reducing our tax burden and meeting the needs of families like yours and mine. Together, we will root out the corruption that has become a way of life for Madigan Machine Politicians and I’m proud to stand with them for the future of Illinois”.
Steve Kim is running for Attorney General because crime in this state is out of control. He has advised leaders at all levels of the Illinois government, including Senator Mark Kirk and Governor Jim Edgar. He has adjudicated hundreds of civil rights cases in his position on the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Steve works with companies all over the globe, and has seen the importance of anti-corruption policies, the rule of law, and public safety. Steve’s wide ranging experience makes him the ideal candidate to bring new ideas to the table on curbing the crime and corruption for which Illinois is globally known.
“Richard Irvin will be a governor who understands that public safety and reducing crime has far reaching benefits to our communities across Illinois, especially immigrant and minority communities which are most impacted,” Kim said. “Crime in this state is out of control. Richard has stood with law enforcement to curtail violence and has a proven track record in Aurora. I know that Richard will fight corruption and rein in crime for the betterment of all Illinoisans, and that’s why I’m honored to stand with him.”
Irvin’s new campaign committee, by the way, has the same treasurer as most of the rest of the slate. Les Williamson of Houston, Texas is a professional fundraiser with The Larrison Group.
Irwin’s 2021 municipal budget proposal ever so slightly reduced the Aurora police department’s spending below 2020 levels, but the funding appeared to increased very slightly by the time it passed.
“I applaud the 102nd General Assembly for taking decisive and life-saving actions that will, among other things, strengthen enforcement and hopefully prevent unnecessary tragedies in the future,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvine. “As the Governor signs HB0562 today, may we remember the lives and legacies of Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard and Trevor Wehner who devastating lost their lives at Henry Pratt. While we can’t change the past, we can change laws for the future, and I do hope this brings some measure of comfort to their families, knowing that their lives were not lost in vain.”
Chesney Opposes “Anti-Gun” Amendments to House Bill 562
State Representative Andrew Chesney voted NO, and urged his colleagues to do the same, on an anti-gun bill sent the Illinois House for consideration during a special session on June 16th.
“I filed legislation to fix the FOID problems by eliminating the unconstitutional FOID system,” said Chesney from Springfield on Wednesday. “Instead, gun-grabbing politicians are doubling down on bloated bureaucracies that serve no one well; especially the unprecedented number of innocent Chicago residents hunted down by freed felons in gun-free zones.”
*** UPDATE *** DPI…
Today, billionaire Ken Griffin’s slate of Republicans announced their coordinated effort to take Illinois back to the Rauner years. And while the slate isn’t shy about their desire to drag our state backwards, they are being shy about making any actual appearances in public.
As opposed to making themselves available to voters and the media, this silent slate has hidden from the public for weeks. Not a single candidate has done an interview or public event since announcing and have instead chosen to hide behind consultant-crafted videos and meaningless social posts.
It is patently unacceptable that those seeking to lead our state would hide from reporters because they don’t want to answer basic questions like: Did you vote for Donald Trump? Do you want to overturn Roe v Wade? What promises has Ken Griffin made you?
Instead of proposing real policy solutions that help working families, these candidates are more of the same. Empty words, incendiary rhetoric, and no clue how to make Springfield work for working families.
The public deserves to know who is really pulling the strings of the Rauner Reboot. Each day the Griffin Slate continues to avoid scrutiny, we can only assume they have something to hide.
The parent company of public radio station WBEZ 91.5-FM is moving forward on plans to acquire the Chicago Sun-Times — a merger designed to assure survival of the money-losing newspaper while creating one of the nation’s largest nonprofit local news organizations.
The board of Chicago Public Media voted Tuesday to approve the deal, which was first disclosed here in September. The merger is expected to be finalized by January 31.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but major funding is expected from Michael Sacks, lead investor in the Sun-Times, along with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Pritzker Traubert Foundation.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Chicago Public Media board of directors for their work in leading us to this milestone,” board chair Piyush Chaudhari said in a statement. “This new venture will be on its best path forward as we bring together two of Chicago’s most respected news organizations in our city and our region.”
According to the announcement, WBEZ and the Sun-Times “will continue to serve their respective audiences, and the newsrooms will operate separately with their own editors and maintain their editorial independence.”
While WBEZ and the Sun-Times will continue as independent operations, the deal could change one newspaper tradition. Executives said that as a nonprofit, the Sun-Times can no longer endorse political candidates. News coverage and investigations of public officials would be unaffected.
The Sun-Times stopped endorsing candidates in 2012, and then resumed in 2014 so it could endorse Bruce Rauner, a former part-owner.
Former Governor Rauner closed his campaign account yesterday three years after leaving office. True to form, the committee wound things down with a bunch of debt and unaccounted for expenditures. pic.twitter.com/1uVsuchLXZ
